Episode #7: Success after 3 PA School Application Cycles | Sonya, Calgary PA-S1
From Rejection to Acceptance: Sonya's Journey to Calgary MPAS
Sonya applied to PA school three times before getting accepted to the University of Calgary's MPAS program.
In this episode, she walks through what changed between each application cycle, how she handled the emotional weight of repeated rejections, and what she learned about herself in the process.
We also talk about what it's actually like being in one of Canada's newest PA programs and what advice she'd give to applicants who are navigating their own uncertain timelines.
If you're in the middle of applications or wondering whether to reapply, this conversation offers both perspective and practical insight from someone who's been exactly where you are.
Listen on:
Listen on Spotify
Watch on Youtube
IN THIS INTERVIEW:
00:42 Learning about the PA profession
03:26 Shadowing PAs
04:10 Sonya's Pre-PA Stats
07:01 Sonya's Road to PA Acceptance
07:50 Reapplying to PA School - Tips
13:14 Applying as an Out-of-Province Applicant
14:46 Calgary MPAS Admissions Overview
16:49 Casper Test
19:43 Obtaining Strong References
22:50 Experience as a Calgary MPAS 1st year Student
23:47 Calgary MPAS Structure
27:44 Approaching to Studying for PA School
30:58 Study Tools for PA School
34:54 Day in the Life
38:00 Work Life Balance in PA School
40:02 What to Expect 2nd year of PA School
42:28 Looking Forward to PA Practice
44:13 Advice for Pre-PA Applicants
45:14 Addressing Gaps or Weakness in your PA Application
47:30 Managing Deadlines for PA Admissions
Key Takeaways
1. Use past attempts to inform your efforts in the current admissions cycle: Sonya talks honestly about how she used lessons from her past PA Admissions cycles to get stronger. She shares what changed between each attempt, and how she gained healthcare experience, retook courses, and kept her mindset in check.
2. The most competitive application is the one that’s authentic. Sonya stepped away from a cookie cutter mindset and instead, leaned into her own story and interests, even when they didn’t match what others were doing. That meant joining biology clubs, shadowing virtually during COVID, and finding study tools that worked for her.
3. 1st year of Calgary MPAS’ program is intense, but manageable. Sonya walks us through her weekly routine, how the spiral curriculum works, and how she balances lectures, clinical skills, shadowing, studying, and self-care. She also shares how she stays grounded while living across the country from her family.
Connect with Sonya
Sonya is a 1st year Calgary MPAS student.
Resources
Visit the Official University of Calgary PA Program Website
Connect with the Calgary PA Student Association Instagram account @calgarympas
Learn more about the CASPer Test that is utilized by Calgary MPAS Admissions and other PA programs.
Sonya uses GoodNotes and Canva for note-taking in PA School.
Anki and Quizlet are tools she uses to help her study for upcoming PA exams.
